Ariel Arrow clutch plate recorking

[PeterFC]

Hi,
I am new to the forum, but not to Ariels having had my Arrow since 1979. I am looking for clutch friction plates for my Arrow or a suggestion as to who can recork them. I previously used the Draganfly exchange items but they were not successful (slipped even with heavy springs)

I have also tried Villiers services but they cannot help either. I would even consider doing it myself and would welcome any guidance on a supplier of suitable cork materials and the appropriate bonding agent.

Any suggestions very welcome.

Peter C

[JohnnyBeckett]

I know the club as got cork to recork your own ones if you are a AOMCC member look in the mag and you will get the number of gearbox and clutch parts

[will_curry]

Firstly, sorry, I can't help with a clutch plate reliner.

As far as I remember it's not cork, it's a type of composite - Ferodo - bonded on.

There are possibly two issues with the Draganfly plates which I may have to deal with too
as I've inherited an Arrow with a stuck clutch.

Issue one is to do with the shape of the friction material. A ring as is illustrated on their website
will cause problems with oil 'stiction'. I can't think of a wet clutch, ancient or modern, with a friction
material that shape. Basically, the oil, once trapped between the plates, can't get out again with
inevitable results.

The other issue may be with the lubricating oil itself. Most modern oils have all
sorts of friction-reducing additives unless you specify otherwise. Using such 'slippery' oils contaminates
the friction material and the clutches slip. I've replaced the clutches on a few Suzukis and a Yamaha
as a result of the wrong oil being used.

Hope this helps.

[Simon.Gardiner]

Gents:
Might be worth having a look at these two threads (best I can find on this topic)
http://forum.arielownersmcc.com/viewt ... 40&p=68979
http://forum.arielownersmcc.com/viewt ... 65&p=41718

HTH

SG

[john.whiting]

The later AMC clutches used thin neoprene glued on......and I also believe the custom plates developed to stop clutch slip and drag in Indian 4s ,also use the same material.....The original fours ,Indian ,Henderson and Ace all used plain steel plates ,notorious for slip ...But also immune to wear ,in such an inaccessible spot ......The Indian twins used a Raybestos solid friction plate /plain steel plate in oil bath ,which are really bad for sticking ,even using ATF..........Most unusual oil clutch friction material Ive seen was in Massey Ferguson tractors,replacement friction plates having a sort of paper lining......Normal material is porous sintered bronze used just about universally.

[john.whiting]

The most unusual place Ive seen cork clutch linings was replacement plates for a Cat 12 grader .The grader clutch can be slipped under power if needed,without ill effect...Its oil flooded ,having the scavenge oil from the motor discharged inside the clutch...The cork plates lasted just as well as the original sintered bronze ones.